Upgrading a Colt Combat Commander....where to go?

[G-Mac]

I have a blue Colt Combat Commander that I bought new almost 30 years ago. I'm thinking about sending it out for some custom work. Better sights, beaver-tail grip safety, trigger work, that sort of thing. Who does the best work at fair prices?

 

[luvsmiths]

That's not anything earth shattering. Don't you have a local that can do it? There are a few close by to me that do great work like that.
I'll bet you do too!( have some by you)
Other than the trigger job, it's just replacing parts!

 

[Baxter6551]

GMac - may I recommend LaRocca Gun Works in Worcester MA. Check his web site. He learned his trade at Pachmayr Gun Works building their 1911s and Combat Specials.

 

[G-Mac]

That's not anything earth shattering. Don't you have a local that can do it? There are a few close by to me that do great work like that.
I'll bet you do too!
Other than the trigger job, its just replacing parts!

There's nobody around here that I would trust.

 

[arjay]

There’s a well known Colt smith in the phoenix area that does this type of work and also repairs old Colt double actions aaaand I’m drawing a blank on his name….
It’ll come to me…someday lol

Edit: Frank Glenn. Frank Glenn-Glenn Custom Complete Gunsmithing Service Glendale AZ - Photos

 

[growr]

wilson Combat?

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

There’s a well known Colt smith in the phoenix area that does this type of work and also repairs old Colt double actions aaaand I’m drawing a blank on his name….
It’ll come to me…someday lol

Edit: Frank Glenn. Frank Glenn-Glenn Custom Complete Gunsmithing Service Glendale AZ - Photos

Frank Glenn is a whiz with Colt double-action revolvers…not sure how he is with 1911 pistols. He’s worth asking though.

Thirty years ago I sent a Lightweight Commander to Novak’s in WV. They do awesome work.

 

[AJ]

If you are handy with tools and have some patience, the work you mentioned is not that difficult. Changing the sights is the hardest and probably will require a special tool, depending on the type of sights you want.

 

[rockquarry]

I had two Colt 1911s accurized by Clark Custom in Louisiana but I think they do everything else as well. Check their website.

 

[mckenney99]

+1 for Novak's. They've done 3 complete custom Colt 1911's and 3 Custom Browning Hi Powers for me.

 

[03hemi]

I have a blue Colt Combat Commander that I bought new almost 30 years ago. I'm thinking about sending it out for some custom work. Better sights, beaver-tail grip safety, trigger work, that sort of thing. Who does the best work at fair prices?

Obviously Wilson Combat if you want the Elite carry bullet proof gun.

 

[luvsmiths]

There's nobody around here that I would trust.

Thats too bad because I have changed the beavertails and magwells myself and it is NOT worth transferring in and out of a gunstore and paying shipping etc to change parts. The sights are a piece of cake too, or just take the slide off and send it to trijicon and they will install something you buy from them.

You seriously don't have anyone that can do that? I mean you can do it yourself pretty much.

 

[luvsmiths]

If you are handy with tools and have some patience, the work you mentioned is not that difficult. Changing the sights is the hardest and probably will require a special tool, depending on the type of sights you want.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS Plus 100! I can't believe some of the responses --- send it to Wilson, Novak's, or to Arizona for a beavertail grip safety and sights?

It's your money!

 

[BB57]

You should better define what you want done.

Are you talking a custom beaver tail and milling the slide for sights that require a different dove tail?

Or are you talking about a drop in after market beaver tail and a different set of sights in the existing dove tail?

The former is appropriate for a gunsmith. The latter is firmly in the DIY category.

Both Nighthawk Custom and Cylinder and Slide sell drop in 1911 trigger kits that are also DIY items.

 

[Grayfox]

Another vote for DIY. These are exactly the kind of improvements that got me started on doing all my own work. All you need are time, patience, a few tools and YouTube.

 

[AJ]

Both Nighthawk Custom and Cylinder and Slide sell drop in 1911 trigger kits that are also DIY items.

Cylinder and Slide is going out of business.

 

[Ruger 13]

Check out YouTube and install the replacement parts yourself!

 

[ken158]

As many have said, just do the work yourself and send the slide to whomever makes the sights you want especially if some machining is required. Sure beats shipping off your gun and waiting a year not to mention paying many times over what the parts and labor will cost you.

 

[Farmer17]

Gunsmiths are expensive for stuff like that. With parts and shipping and sales tax you’re probably looking at $300-$400. Do you really want to spend that money when you can get a lot of money for your commander and then go buy a factory gun that already has all that stuff on it.

 

[BB57]

Cylinder and Slide is going out of business.

Bill is retiring. Whether the business itself closes will depend on whether he finds someone and or a business entity to sell it to that will maintain his high standards.

I suspect he’ll be successful in that, but it may take some time.